Improvement in car-couplings



G. W. IRISH.

- Oar Coupling. No. 108,598. Patented 0012.25, 1870.

N- PETERS, PHOTOLITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, [JV 0,

'tarri M GEORGE W. IRISH, or. MEMPHIS, NEW YORK.

Letters Patent No. 108,598, dated October 25, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT lN CAR COUPLlNGS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part O the Same Toall whom it may concern 1 Be it known that I, GEORGE W. Inrsn, of Memphis, in the .county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented a new, and useful Improvement in Oar-Coupling; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled-in-the art to make anduse the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in whichy Figure 1 is a side view of my improved car-coupling, partly in section, to show the construction, Figure 2 represents one form ofcou'pling-pin. Figure 3 represents a combined coupling-pin and link.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention relates to car-couplings which have hinged pieces toclose behind the shoulders of the coupling-pin; and I My object is to combine such feature of construc:

tion as will cause this block to fall quickly behind, and to lock firmly with the shoulders ofsaid pin.

A represents the draft-bar of the coupling, which is connected with the frame-work of the car'jn the ordinary manner.

B is the head-block of the coupling, which may be cast of malleable iron, and which is connected with the draft-bar A by the wrought-iron bars 0.

The head-block B may serve as abumper-head,"

and its interior is made hopper shaped, or in the shape of a flaringcone, as shown in fig. 1.

The inner side of the block B ismadc in the form.

of steps or shoulders, 'as shown in fig. 1.

Upon the upper step or shoulder, b, is placed a block or plate, D, which is hinged at its upper forward edge to the block B, and its lower surface is concavcd, to form a continuation of or a part of the cavity of the block B.

Upon the lower step or shoulder, b, ofthe block B, rests the forward end of the block or plate E, the forward part of which is connected to the hinged block D by the straps F, so that the block 1 may be raised by raising the block D, and so that the weight of the two blocks may act together to bring the block D down to its seat after it has been raised.

The rcarend of the block is connected and piv-,

oted to the bar A by two straps, G.

To the upper, block orplate D is attached an arm,

H, which projects through a slot in" the upper strad or bar 0, for convenience in raisingthe block D to uncouple the cars. r

A lever, bar, or chain may be connected with the arm H, to enable the cars to be conveniently uncoupled-from the platforms of said cars.

I is the coupling-pin, which, for cars of the same height, is made straight, as shown in "fig. 2, and'for cars of unequal height should be bent, as shown in ti. 1.

Upon the ends of the pin I are formed round, tapering, or conical heads, as shown in figs. 1 and 2.

\Vhen it is desired tov couple a car provided with my improved coupling to one provided with an ordinary coupling, the combined link and pin J is used, which is made with a link or elongated hole in one end, and with its other end similar to the end'of the pin .I, as shown in'fig. 3.

In using the coupling, one end of thepin I is secured in one of the parts'of the coupling; then, as the cars are run together, the end ofthe pin I enters the mouth of I the bIock B, and raises the block orplate D. As the head of pin I passes the block D,

the weight of'the blocks D E bring them down to their places, as shown in fig. 1, coupling the cars.

By this construction the draft-strain is sustained by the step-b, against the shoulder of which the head of the pin rests, and by the block or plate D, against the inner edge .of which the head of the pin I rests,

and the outer edge of which rests against a shoulderv of the block B, as shownin fig, 1, so that,'t-he greater the draft-strainnpon the coupling, the more securely will the pin be held in place.

To uncouple the cars, the

same movement raises the block E, which lifts the head of the pin I above the shoulder of the step b,- so that, wheu the cars are drawn apart, the pin may be drawn out of the coupling.

' Having thus described my invention,

, arm H is operated to. raise the block D above the head of the pin; The 

